Beginning in the summer of 2014, Indiana Fire Juniors fielded an NPSL expansion team known as the Indiana Fire. The formation of an NPSL squad marked a major step in Indiana Fire Junior's post-high school soccer offerings. The NPSL is a national league that operates in the Fourth Division of the U.S. Soccer pyramid. NPSL teams are eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup through their affiliation with the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). The NPSL remains one of the largest national leagues in North America.
In 2014, the Indiana Fire NPSL team finished with a respectable 7-4-3 record and ranked third in the Midwest Region.
After a successful inaugural year, the team started a second season with a new home game venue at Park Tudor in Indianapolis. The team finished 7-2-3 and went on to win the Midwest Regional title over the #1 seeded Madison 56ers and #3 seeded Cleveland AFC.
"I am very proud of our NPSL players, coaches, and administrators,” said NPSL Coach John Simmonds. “In only our second year in the league, we managed to win the Midwest Region and play in National Semis. Unfortunately, we fell short in the semis to Chattanooga. I feel we have set a solid foundation for our 2016 NPSL season. I am also very excited about our US Open Cup bid that we have earned for 2016. This group of players has a lot to be proud of with their body of work this season."
The Indiana Fire then traveled to Chattanooga to face the South Region Champions, Chattanooga FC in the National Semi Final match. While the Fire fell 3-0, their season was filled with victories.
Midwest Regional Champions
Nago Mbengue named to All-NPSL second team
Indiana Fire NPSL Players named to All-Midwest Team:
M – Bennett Kim, First Team
F – Nago Mbengue, First Team
D/MF – Jack Griffith, Honorable Mention
GK – Cody Schweitzer, Honorable Mention
Midwest Regional Title article:
Indiana Fire website articles:
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ABOUT THE NPSL
The NPSL is a national league that operates in the 4th Division of the U.S. Soccer pyramid. NPSL teams are eligible to participate in the U.S. Open Cup through their affiliation with the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). The NPSL remains one of the largest national leagues in North America.